Under Fire

Since the first book I have been waiting on Zane and Tessa's story. They have a history that is brought to the foreground in this story. Their relationship is based on a friendship that distance can't break. Zane Fletcher has his dream job of being Secret Service agent to the president and Tessa Reed works for the Secret Service branch in Raleigh. When the president is invited to a party at the home of one of his dearest friends Zane returns as part of the protection detail and gets to work with his old friends including Tessa Reed who is in charge of the protection detail while the president is in Raleigh. When threats are made on her life, the team works together to not only protect the president but to make sure Tessa stays safe. This story is full of humor, romance, intrigue, suspense, forgiveness, friendships, and a faith in God. It was fun to have the characters from Carrington (another series) show up and help out. This was a great ending to this series and I can't wait to read the next one.

"I think if I walked around introducing you as the pulse of my heart, we would get a few weird looks." Zane and Tessa have had great chemistry and friendship throughout the series and I am so happy that they have their own adrenaline-fueled, romance-laced story to conclude this fantastic series about Raleigh Secret Service agents. The plot is fascinating and even though we hear the villain's voice in the story, we don't actually see the clues coming together until the very end. Zane is still very much part of the Raleigh office though he's now in DC protecting the president. The solid bond of brotherhood among Zane, Luke, Gil, and Benjamin is enviable and I loved their protective love of each other and their families. I've always liked Zane but his tender, romantic, patient heart totally swept me away in this book. Tessa is fierce and no-nonsense and a great Secret Service Agent. Zane and Tessa have painful pasts that prevent them from fully trusting each other with their hearts but their friendship and sizzling attraction are delightful. I loved catching up with Luke and Faith, Gil and Ivy, and Benjamin and Sharon from this office and Adam and Sabrina from the Carrington Sheriff Office from the author's previous series. It's an excellent conclusion to Defend and Protect series that you won't want to miss. I received the book from the publisher via NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

There was a lot in this book I loved, one thing being this is Zane and Tessa's story that we finally get the scoop on lol! Also, all the action, the planning, the intrigue, the elusive villain, the hilarious shutdown of a certain character who thought way too much of himself.. It definitely made for a story I could hardly put down except to pause because the action and pace was so intense! The team banter was a riot as usual, and we got to see more of the couples we met in the previous two books, Luke and Faith, and Gil and Ivy. The relationship and romance of both couples was realistic, but not the Hallmark cheesy "perfection" that I loathe because it's honestly just not true to life. I really liked the way the group worked through the problems that were thrown their way, not trying to do it all on their own but realizing they had teammates and friends in high places for a reason. Thank you to the author and publisher for the complimentary paperback and launch team goodies I received as part of her launch team. It's been a pleasure to serve on the team. Thank you also to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary e-book I received. A positive review was not required of me and the thoughts above and below are my own. Negative elements & trigger warnings In the opening scene, a female character wakes up in a roach motel with no shirt on, but otherwise she's clothed. This was not of her choosing, as we later find out she was drugged. an iffy idea- Tess mentions when a job was finished that she wants to curl up on the couch with her bodyguard and sleep till Monday. It doesn't actually though. While they're friends, and he's been looking out for her, that just isn't quite right and can compromise your reputation as a Christian. mild language- cr*p, scr*w up